How adult heart cells switch back to a fetal-like state
Integrating Transcriptome Reprogramming Into Cardiac Plasticity Regulatory Mechanisms
This project looks at how the protein MBNL1 controls whether adult heart muscle cells revert to a fetal-like state after stress, which could help people with heart damage or heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320784 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying why adult heart muscle cells sometimes reactivate fetal genes when the heart is stressed, a change that can limit regeneration and contribute to heart failure. They alter levels of the RNA-binding protein MBNL1 in cells and animal models and apply pressure overload to mimic cardiac stress. The team measures gene expression patterns, cell division and growth markers, and heart function to see which cells change state and how that affects recovery. The goal is to find molecular switches that might be targeted to improve heart repair after injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with pressure-overload heart conditions or heart failure—such as those with high blood pressure or aortic valve disease—would be the most relevant group if human trials are developed.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to heart muscle cell reprogramming, or those with irreversible end-stage heart damage, are unlikely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to protect or regenerate heart muscle so patients recover better from pressure-related heart damage or heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and cell studies have shown that MBNL1 changes heart cell behavior and alters remodeling, but translating this mechanism into human treatments remains new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Jennifer Michelle — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Davis, Jennifer Michelle
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.